ETHIOPIA

      “Ethiopia shall continue in the Christian faith until the coming of Our Lord, and she shall in no way turn aside from the word of the Gospel, and it shall be so even as we have ordered until the end of the world.” 

       -The Kebra Nagast 100:7-

       "Ethiopia has been a Christian nation for nearly two thousand years, and for most of that time it has officially been a Christian monarchy. But the Ethiopian people have endured apostate kings, Islamic invasions, and most recently a communist coup. And yet, the devout Christian Faith of the Ethiopian people has remained intact. Various governmental and political forces have worked to undermine the Gospel and subvert the authentic and ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Church. But the righteous leadership of true Christian Kings - such as Menelik II (1865-1913) and Emperor Haile Selassie I (1892-1975) - has affirmed and upheld the true Christian Faith that is inherent in Ethiopia and its people. And the Faith of Ethiopia is sustained by the historical examples of heroic Saints who defended Christian purity with personal sacrifice and selfless martyrdom.

       The righteous example of Ethiopia demonstrates that genuine faith is not contingent upon worldly governments or national political forces. Rather, the strength of a nation, its government, and its people hinges upon the authenticity and steadfastness of its religious faith." 

-GMK-

"Look to the East, to Ethiopia, and there you will find the purest Christian Church and the richest Christian faith. The Ark of the Covenant resides in Ethiopia. Part of the true Cross of Christ can be found in Ethiopia. And Ethiopia is the only nation in history that made the natural transition from Judaism to Christianity. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church possesses the most extensive canon of biblical Scripture in all of Christendom. And Ethiopia is the first country mentioned in the Holy Bible. [Genesis 2:13] So if you truly want to understand the fullness and depth of authentic Christian Faith, look to the true and ancient Church of Ethiopia- The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church." -GMK-

       "Ethiopia is a land of mysteries. And mystery is not synonymous with fairy tale or fable. Mystery does not mean fantasy or fiction. Spiritually speaking, mystery is a reality or truth that is deeper, higher, richer, and fuller than the comprehension of the mortal mind.

       So please do not describe the sacred land of Ethiopia as if it were a nation of superstition and a people of ignorance. Revere, respect, and extol its sacred mysteries, or leave it altogether alone. To mock and disparage holy things simply because you do not understand them is a dangerous and foolish endeavor."            -GMK-

       "Ethiopia is the cradle of civilization and the location of the Garden of Eden. [See Genesis 2:10-13] There is a strong link between Ethiopia and Egypt, and this link is a Christian link. The Egyptian Coptic Church and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church are sister Churches of the Non-Chalcedonian Tewahedo Orthodox Faith. Both nations are mystical lands. Ethiopia is the only truly Judeo-Christian nation in the world (being that Ethiopia is the only nation to make the natural transition from Judaism to Christianity), and it is the land where the Ark of the Covenant and part of the original Cross of Christ reside today. And Egypt has mystical Christian significance because Our Lord took refuge there as an infant. [St. Matthew 2:13-23] Christians in Egypt have suffered severe persecutions for many centuries; and of course, we know the Old Testament history of Moses versus Pharaoh.

       But today there is a lot of inaccurate historical propaganda about Our Lord Eyesus Kristos (Jesus Christ) being a reinvention of the pagan Egyptian god 'Osiris.' There is a current fascination with 'Egyptology, and many people are deceived by the seductive pseudo-spirituality of this ancient occultism. We must remember that Our Lord said, 'I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.'  [Revelation 1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13] So, Christ is Lord of creation from time eternal. Christ alone is the True God, and Christ will soon return to burn Osiris and all other false gods with divine fire! As He said, 'I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish that it were already kindled!' [St. Luke 12:49]
       But I want to be patient with those that are caught up in this confusion, because I think that the fascination with Egyptology comes from the rejection of an erroneous Western Christianity and Western culture that worships the image of a white, blue-eyed, blond-haired Jesus. So, this is why the knowledge and understanding of Ethiopia is so crucial. We must return to the roots of the Christian Faith. We must go back to the Garden. We must return to the true and ancient Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
       The truly righteous heritage of Africa is not to be found in its affiliation with Pharaoh, Osiris, or Egyptology. Instead, it is to be found in the biblical truths that attest to its glory and significance. Adam, the first man, was African. And the Bible declares:  
       'Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God.' [Psalm 68:4] 'The kings of Ethiopia shall offer gifts unto the Lord.' [Psalm 72:10]
       There is a divine Light that emanates from the East. It is the light of the sacred land of Ethiopia. It is the light of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I. It is the Light of the Ark of the Covenant and the Cross of Our Lord. And, it is the light of the true and ancient Christian Faith that is professed and practiced by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church." -GMK-

       "I am so thankful for the legacy and light of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia! The corrupt powers of this fallen world continually try to suppress any knowledge and understanding of this wonderful King. But by the power of God, Haile Selassie's light penetrates the dark corners of our world, enlightening minds and uplifting hearts. The words of His Majesty provide guidance and wisdom in these tribulation times of injustice, sin, and oppression. They illuminate the issues of social justice, world peace, divine morality, spiritual strength, and the brotherhood of man. But most importantly, the life, example, and teachings of Haile Selassie point to the Gospel of Our Lord and to the true Christian Faith of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church." -GMK-      

       "Emperor Haile Selassie I was born in Ethiopia on July 23rd, 1892 as Tafari Makonnen. He was given the baptismal name of Haile Selassie, which means “Power of the Holy Trinity.” This mystical and holy name became the name he took upon inheriting the Ethiopian throne in 1928.

       It is interesting to note that the year of his birth, 1892, was exactly 400 years after Christopher Columbus “sailed the ocean blue” in 1492. Those who know their Bible will remember that the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. Thus Haile Selassie, this Christian King, was divinely sent to spiritually conquer the seeds of slavery, materialism, and genocide that were sown by this Christopher Columbus who continues to be revered today in history textbooks.
       In 1928 he was proclaimed Negus of Ethiopia, and two years later he was officially crowned with the title “Emperor Haile Selassie I, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Root of David, Elect of God.” The Christian Kings of Ethiopia have always been ascribed titles that bear witness to their Orthodox Christian faith.
       Haile Selassie was a descendent of the Solomonic lineage. The Bible relates the historical account of Makeda, Queen of Sheba (Ethiopia), and how she traveled to Jerusalem to meet King Solomon and learn from his wisdom. Solomon revealed to her the knowledge and worship of the One True God-'Jehovah,' 'Yahweh,' 'JAH.'
       Solomon and Makeda fell in love, and she conceived a son- Menelik the 1st. As Menelik came of age, he traveled back to Jerusalem and then returned to Ethiopia bringing with him the Ark of the Covenant, which remains in Ethiopia to this very day.
       For a full account of this history and truth, read your Bible. [See I Kings 10:1-13; II Chronicles 9:1-12; and the Song of Solomon] Also read the Kebra Nagast, which means “The Glory of Kings.” This book is a sacred text of Ethiopian Orthodox Church Tradition, and it provides a detailed record of Solomon’s relationship with the Queen of Sheba and how the Ark of the Covenant came to reside in Ethiopia.
       Haile Selassie was a devout Christian who was known as “Defender of the Faith.” Through his efforts, Abuna Yesehaq was sent to be the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in the Western Hemisphere, proclaiming the true and ancient Apostolic Faith, and establishing God’s true and Holy Church. The legendary Bob Marley, whose music and message brought international attention to the importance His Imperial Majesty, was baptized into the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church by Abuan Yesehaq prior to his passing.
       So, know your Bible and know your history, and you will know the truth."  -GMK- 

       "Ethiopia has been ruled by Christians for nearly two thousand years, and it has officially been a Christian monarchy for most of that time. In this earthly life there is no perfection, and Ethiopia has at various times been ruled by apostate Kings. But most of Ethiopia's monarchs have been avowedly Christian. And no King ruled more righteously than Emperor Haile Selassie I, who reigned from 1930 to 1972.
       Haile Selassie ruled as an Orthodox Christian King without apology. During His Majesty's rule, Ethiopian citizens of other faiths were never persecuted or disparaged. But in this great Christian land, no one was allowed to disrupt or desecrate Orthodox religious ceremonies, customs, or icons. The law of the land was based solely upon biblical principles, Church doctrines, and Christian belief. There was no erroneous notion of separation of Church and state. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church was the primary authority, to which even the Emperor himself was submissive. In fact, the Orthodox Church is what defines Ethiopia to this present day. The Church is the heart, the soul, and the spirit of the country. Those who do not like this situation have always been free to go elsewhere.
       Of course, true Christian practice will always invite persecution. And in the name of "democracy," the communists have infiltrated the Christian nation of Ethiopia. They are steadily trying to weaken the power and authority of the true Church and the true Orthodox Christian Faith. But Ethiopia has survived for centuries, and she will survive these current assaults as well. For 'the gates of hell shall not prevail against the Church' [St. Matthew 16:18], and Ethiopia shall continue to 'stretch forth her hands unto God.' [Psalm 68:31]" 
-GMK-

       "As Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, we make the sign of the Cross over our face and over our body. With our right hand, and with our fingers in the form of the Cross, we make the sign from above downwards. This symbolizes the Incarnation of Our Lord, when God came down from heaven to earth. Then we make the sign from left to right, which symbolizes the salvation of Christ, who took us from a sinful life to a right life.
       Making the sign of the Cross is a form of prayer. It reminds us of the source of our salvation, the source of our spiritual power, and the victory we have over sin and evil. The sign of the Cross encourages the hearts of Christians. It brings our minds into proper spiritual focus. By making the sign of the Cross we resist the devil, we dispel demons, and we cast away all evil thoughts." -GMK- 




Following are some excellent videos about our Church:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJfbtupcGbs&feature=related




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhOJOdBE8h0&feature=related



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WidZv_GYC9w




 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29TJLQ3SE6w&NR=1



http://www.youtube.com/user/TTEOTV#p/u/11/dNnijppRo4M



http://www.pahte.com/Ethiopia_Religion.html